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Modern-day football is physically quite demanding for players. Top clubs who go deep in all competitions generally play around 50-60 games a season. So key players have to be ready for each game, and sometimes even have to play three games a week.
Therefore, players need to be in top physical condition to avoid injuries during the season. That becomes especially important towards the end of the season when teams depend on their key players to deliver.
Fitness is important for players playing at the top level
Players who play at the top level spend hours at the training ground and the gym to tone their bodies so that they are physically ready to take the toll of playing football week in week out.
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While all players have to be fit to be able to play at the elite level, there are some players who are more dedicated to fitness than others and have reaped rewards for that. On that note, here's a look at the five fittest players in world football at the moment.
#5 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku, who moved to Chelsea this summer, has made a blistering start at his new club, scoring on his debut and bullying the Arsenal defence. He is one of the best strikers in the game at the moment, and definitely showed that against Arsenal with a brilliant performance.
But apart from that, he is also one of the fittest players in the world, and is a regular starter for both club and country.
At Inter Milan, Lukaku was arguably one of the best players during his two years at the club, scoring 66 goals in 98 appearances. He also helped the Nerazzurri win their first Serie A title in 11 years, registering 24 goals and 11 assists in 36 games.
Even in international football, Lukaku has shone for Belgium. He has scored 64 goals in 98 games for the Red Devils, and is their all-time leading goalscorer.
Lukaku did not have the best of spells at Manchester United and seemed bulky and overweight. But at Inter, he lost a bit of weight and worked more on his physique to become one of the deadliest strikers in the world.
His physicality helps him get around defenders, and he possesses a good eye for goal, and has great pace, athleticism and awareness. Lukaku also has a good injury record, and has barely missed any games due to injury.
Chelsea are definitely excited by the quality of the Belgian, who they have bought for a club-record €115 million. They will hope that the addition of Lukaku helps them challenge for the Premier League title this season.
#4 Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Renowned for his excellent physique, pace, dribbling ability and sheer strength, Adama Traore is one of the fittest players in world football right now.
The Spanish winger, who is a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, spent time with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough before signing for Wolves in 2018. He has often been deployed as a winger or a wing-back at the club. Traore has scored just 10 goals for the club in 136 appearances, but his pace and trickery have proved to be a key asset for the club.
Apart from his footballing attributes, another interesting fact about Traore is his training and bodybuilding workout plans. He has built a great physique, but has said that he has never lifted weights.
Instead, he chooses to do strength training. His speed and agility is due to his special pieces of training with his coach Darren Campbell, who is an Olympic gold medallist.
Traore's skillset makes him a unique talent, and it won't be long before big clubs come calling for his services. He has recently been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, where he could join his former coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
#3 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
One of the best strikers to ever grace the game, Robert Lewandowski is definitely one of the fittest players in world football at the moment.
Lewandowski has aged like fine wine, and at 32, is arguably the best striker in the game at the moment. He has been terrific since joining Bayern Munich in 2014, scoring 310 goals in 360 matches for the Bavarians.
The Polish striker broke the late Gerd Muller's record of most goals in a Bundesliga campaign last season when he scored 41 goals. Lewandowski also owns the Guinness World Record for the fastest five-goal haul in any major European League, after scoring five times in just nine minutes against Wolfsburg in 2015.
Lewandowski has accurate and impressive finishing skills, excellent technical ability, quick feet, strength in the air, efficient dribbling prowess and a powerful physique.
That has helped him become one of the best and fittest players in the world. He looks set to continue his goalscoring exploits for a more years and isn't likely to stop anytime soon.
#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is quite simply one of the most amazing players in the modern era and one of the best characters in the game's colourful history. He is arguably the most impressive entry on this list, considering his age.
Ibrahimovic has been successful in every league he has played in. The 39-year-old has enjoyed successful spells at Ajax, AC Milan, Inter Milan, PSG and Manchester United.
After a short but successful stint with LA Galaxy in the MLS, the Swedish international joined AC Milan in 2020, and has been one of their main players since then. He has scored 28 goals in 48 appearances for the club since then, which is quite impressive for a striker who will soon turn 40.
Ibrahimovich's technique, creativity, strength, aerial prowess and powerful striking ability makes him a key asset for any team. He will hope to have another fabulous season with Milan this campaign as he approaches the end of his career.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to play the game, Cristiano Ronaldo is also one of the fittest in the sport right now. He was arguably one of the best players in Serie A, performing at the highest level despite being 36.
While Ronaldo, who has returned to Manchester United this summer, might not run as much as he used to a few years ago, his physical fitness is beyond any doubt. Possessing the ability to jump higher than almost any other player and counter-attacking with lightning pace, the Portugal captain is a phenomenon when it comes to fitness.
Ronaldo has evolved his game; his positioning is now the most important part of his game. The forward covers a lot of ground, and has continued to register impressive numbers, winning the Serie A Golden Boot last season with 29 goals.
He also equalled the record for most international goals held by Ali Daei when he scored his 109th strike for Portugal at Euro 2020. Ronaldo also won the Golden boot in that tournament, scoring five goals and bagging an assist.
A beast and an inspiration on the field, Ronaldo has a healthy lifestyle and the determination to keep himself at the top of his game, which is very commendable for a player his age.
